1. Radiation Protection Legislation Stephen McCallum

2. Radiation Legislation
The aim of legislation is to protect, individuals, populations and the environment from adverse affects of ionising radiation.

3. Ionising Radiation Regulations 1999
Know as IRR99 - made under the Health and Safety at Work Act Enforcement agency is the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
Controls occupational exposures to workers and exposures to the public as a result of the use of ionising radiation in the work place

4. Radioactive Substances Act 1993
RSA93, Enforcement agency is the Environment Agency (EA) in England & Wales and Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) in Scotland
Sets out regulatory frame work for the keeping of radioactive sources and the disposal of radioactive waste

5. UK law via an existing or new act of parliament
Route to legislation
ICRP Guidance
IAEA Guidance
European directives
UK law via an existing or new act of parliament

6. IRR99 Employer responsibility
Every radiation employer shall, in relation to any work with ionising radiation that he undertakes, take all necessary steps to restrict so far as is reasonably practicable the extent to which his employees and other persons are exposed to ionising radiation

7. IRR99 – Dose Limits Employees 20 150 500 Trainees 6 50 Others 1 15
Whole Body effective dose (mSv)
Eye
Equivalent Dose (mSv)
Skin
Hands, forearms, feet
Employees 20
150
500
Trainees 6 50
Others 1 15

8. IRR99 – Classified workers
A worker must be Classified if they are likely to receive a whole body dose of more than 6mSv per year or more than 3/10 of any relevant dose limit.
Classified workers must under a yearly medical by an doctor appointed by the employer.
Issued with a pass book detailing their dose record.
Are able to enter controlled areas
Personal Radiation doses must be monitored

9. IRR99 – Non Classified workers
Classification not required for doses up to 3/10 of relevant dose limit i.e. 6mSv for body dose.
Only able to enter controlled area under a system of work drawn up by the employer. System of work normally part of the local rules
Personal Radiation dose often monitored to show that classification not required

10. IRR99 – duties of employer
Carry out prior risk assessments before work commences
This is one of the key elements of the legislation. From the risk assessment the employer should be able to determine the measures required to control and limit doses to staff and the public.

11. IRR99 – duties of employer
Designation of areas
Controlled areas under IRR99 should be set up where a person is likely to receive an effective whole body dose of more than 6mSv per year or where there is significant risk of spreading contamination outside the work area.

12. Controlled areas
Must be under the control of the employer
Must be physically demarcated
Must have suitable signage
Local rules should be drawn up
Radiation Protection Supervisor appointed
Environmental and personal monitoring should take place

13. Supervised areas
Any area where the conditions need to be kept under review
Any person is likely to receive an effective dose >1mSv/y or > than 1/10 of any other dose limit.
It does not automatically follow that outside every controlled area there will be a supervised area.

14. IRR99 – duties of employer
Draw up local rules
Required for every controlled area and normally every supervised area
Contain a key set of working instructions designed to restrict exposure.
Contingency plans if things go wrong.
Systems of work for non classified workers.
Must take steps to ensure rules or observed an brought to the attention of effected workers

15. IRR99 – duties of employer
Special consideration for pregnant and breast feeding workers
Once notified must ensure the equivalent dose to the foetus is unlikely to exceed 1mSv during the remainder of the pregnancy;
For breastfeeding mothers restrictions in place to prevent significant bodily contamination of that employee

16. IRR99 – duties of employer
Appointment of Radiation Protection Supervisor
Responsible for ensuring that the Local rules are adhered to and for supervising the arrangements.
Know and understand the requirements of the relevant regulations and local rules.
Command sufficient authority to allow them to supervise the work.
Understand the necessary precautions
Know what to do in an emergency

17. IRR99 – duties of employer
Appointment of Radiation Protection Advisor
An RPA must be consulted on the implementation of these regulations.
Prior examination of plans.
Critical Examinations of equipment
Periodic testing of control measures
Implementation of requirements for controlled and supervised areas
Calibration of instruments
Dose limitation procedures
PPE, Training, Outside Workers etc.
and more

18. IRR99 – duties of employer
Selection, maintenance and quality assurance of medical equipment.
Area monitoring
Training
Provide suitable Personal Protective Equipment
Co-operation between employers
Holding sealed sources
Accounting and movement of radioactive substances
Reporting incidents

19. IRR99 - Duties of Employees
No one must knowingly expose himself or any other person to ionising radiation to an extent that is greater than is reasonably necessary for the purposes of his work.
Personal Protective Equipment must be used in the correct manner if provided.

20. Radioactive Substances Act 1993 (RSA 1993)
Must register all sources with Environment Agency (in Scotland SEPA)
Must obtain authorisation to store and dispose of waste

21. Registration of Sources
RSA 1993
Registration of Sources
Premises where source kept (Section 7 (2) (a))
Undertaking on premises - hospital (Section 7 (2) (a))
Use of sources Section 7 (2) (c)
Description Section 7 (2) (d)
what and how much
Separate application for
Sealed Sources
Unsealed Sources
Mobile Sources Sections 3 & 9

22. Authorisation for disposal and accumulation of radioactive waste
RSA 1993
Authorisation for disposal and accumulation of radioactive waste
Premises where the waste is to be disposed of
Routes – Waste contractor, sewer
Form- Solid, liquid or Gaseous
and activity

23. RSA 1993
Record Keeping
The employer is responsible for keeping sufficient records, of sources holdings, waste storage and waste disposal.